Grade 3 student Shamoya T. is Christel House Jamaica’s (CHJ) most improved reader this year, advancing four reading levels from her initial placement! Shamoya did not attend Basic School consistently and missed Grade 1, so had to work hard to catch up. In fact, she has exceeded all expectations and is now reading at a Grade 5 level. Shamoya credits the support of her class teachers, Ms. McDonald and Ms. Mighty, as well as Ms. Brown’s reading class for her results.
“This achievement reflects her dedication and hard work, as well as the support and encouragement she has received from her parents and teachers,” says Tina Brown, Reading Specialist. “I am incredibly proud of her progress and look forward to seeing her continue to excel."
Shamoya believes being at Christel House has helped her to read and work better. Not only does she love Ms. Brown’s reading class, she also loves Math. Shamoya is excited to learn so that she can help her family and friends. She also wants to be a good example to new students, showing them the school’s core values: Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Independence (I.R.R.I.).
She says Christel House is very different from her old school. In addition to having access to the resources she needs, “this school is very fun and respectful, and I was able to make good friends easily.” Shamoya loves every activity, including track and field, and participated in netball training over the summer.
Shamoya says she has changed a lot since starting at CHJ: “I enjoy everything in the school… I talk to the Principal, the Vice Principal and the teachers.” She adds, “Even if there is a fight, the children come right back together. Everyone cares for each other, and I care for them… and we share with each other.”
Her mother, Yaneek Nuwell, first heard about CHJ during the COVID-19 pandemic. With four children, she had to prioritize use of a tablet for her eldest child. She applied, believing Shamoya could access the resources needed at Christel House, but no space was available at the time. Instead, a year later in 2022, Shamoya’s little sister Shanice was accepted for Kindergarten and settled in well. Yaneek was thrilled when a Grade 3 space opened up for Shamoya for the past school year.
“I know she was always a bright child, and although she missed two years of school, she is doing great now…. She a gwaan.” She explained, that Shamoya usually prefers to be on a technology device, “But now, you see her take up book and read. Mi nuh haffi seh read a book.”
As one of our top parent-volunteers, Yaneek has exceeded the minimum requirements for the scholarship of 100 points per child, earning more than 700 points this year! She ended the year in second place and was disappointed she wasn’t first. Yaneek volunteers most days in the school’s cafeteria. When she’s not at school, she will braid hair or take up a bi-weekly cleaning job. She says volunteering was a challenge at times, but she enjoys it. Not only is she getting a lot of experience, she is learning a lot. “Mi feel good coming here.”
Yaneek still struggles with expenses for her older child, a 12-year-old who is in high school. She is hopeful the baby, who is now three, will find a home at CHJ. She will be going to infant school in September and loves Christel House. Having spent so much time on the compound, “she walk up and down like she own di place.”
For more stories like Shamoya's sign up for our monthly newsletter http://eepurl.com/iTduGM